This essay will aim to explore the underlying causes of the key problems and symptoms of problems encountered by the ‘A team’ through the use of empirical research and Organisational Behaviour theories and models. It was identified through an in depth analysis into high performing work teams that the underlying causes of the ‘A teams’ struggles were a direct result of three areas which included: A) an almost non existent level of group development B) an inability of the group members to work effectively with one another and C) poor group dynamics. In response to these underlying causes this essay through the use of relevant recommendations endeavors to outline how the issues and problems experienced could have been avoided or corrected.
Firstly this essay will examine the reasons behind the initial group development being a key cause in the lacklustre performance of the group. According to Tuckman & Jensen (1977) there are four main stages in team development which include Performing, Norming, Storming and Forming. It was in the Performing stage that problems began to surface for the group. Initially it was Scott who began to lead the group through shear dominance. However, a subsection of the group did not fully trust Scott as they deemed his ideas to be problematic. They could only bestow ‘calculus based’ trust upon him which is the lowest level of trust anyone can have. It symbolizes a logical assumption that a group member will act in a suitable manner as otherwise they face punishment if their actions violate reasonable expectations (McAllister 1995). This was due to the fact that the group believed the ideas he put forward were problematic. Despite the fact that Sara and Hamish were concerned with the approach Scott sugge...
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...am to ensure that simple mistakes such as not utilizing goal setting and having low levels of group cohesion are repeated.
In conclusion there were a number of underlying factors which contributed to the poor performance of the ‘A Team’. Within the causes of group development, group effectiveness and group dynamics there were a number of problems outlined. Initially when the team came together there were a number of costly mistakes made which meant that the team was never going to be able to maximize its potential. Fundamentally the poor performance of the group was due to the fact that the direction and approach the group would take could not be clearly outlined to other members as a result of a lack of communication. The dynamics of the group also played a major part in the unsatisfactory performance largely because social loafing was present amongst members.
The first dysfunction is the absence of trust among the members of Kathryn Petersen’s team member.
Working in teams can be well-defined as when a group of people are brought together for the aim of a mutual objective. Each member in a group puts their abilities to accomplish the goals. Groups make exertion to complete the project, but not necessarily the project is achieved every time. Within a group, every member participates in a position to accomplish the group’s intentions. These positions add new and significant dimensions to physics of group colleagues. Bruce Tuckman’s team development theory provides a way to challenge the duties of assembling a squad through the achievement of an assignment. On the whole, each group associate played a vital responsibility to complete the project at the end of Client-Focused Business Solutions.
The team is weak. While the makeup of the team is one that fashions an environment conducive for enhanced effectiveness, it has yet to approach the set mandate in a manner that ensures the realization of its goals. Errors can be identified during the initial stages of forming the group. There are five stages of group formation. During three of these phases, the forming, storming and norming, were characterized by significant errors. The forming stage was spread through some meetings. The core rationale for this is the inability of all members to be included in the first
The formation of the team is the first stage of the model. A person’s behavior is driven by the desire for acceptance, and to avoid conflict or controversy with other people (Judge & Bono, 2000). Grave feelings and issues are avoided, with people focusing on keeping themselves occupied with routines such as duty allocations, team organization and the venues of the meetings during this period. At this stage, individuals gather impressions and information about each other, and the aims of the group and how to advance towards them. This stage is comfortable, but the avoidance of conflict translates to little being done. The team learns about opportunities and challenges, reaches a consensus on goals and starts to handle the task. The team may be motivated, but usually, they are ...
1. How might different aspects of teams and teamwork contribute to team members thinking about quitting their jobs?
People tend to have different ideas of what constitutes good communication. It is important to define communication and ways to build effective communication within teams, in order to have a successful team output. Some people think of communication solely as speaking, but it should be stressed that up to 90% of communication can be listening to fellow team members, and only 10 % talking (Lay, 2008). There are different aspects of effective communication that should be discussed by the group when it is initially formed. In order for teams to be successful, they should define how they will communicate with each other, and define the tasks that will set out by the team.
1. Blair, Gerard. Groups That Work, www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerad/Management/art0 (1998). The effectiveness of the team takes a nosedive, and the productiveness of the team is far less than the individual could have achieved had they not brought together.
It is proven that teams who work well together perform and have a higher rate of success compared to teams who do not work well together or communicate with each other. A recent article with regards to leadership discussed the topic of group cohesion and how this is a factor for success. The article discussed several situations, one about a business company, one about a sports team and one about a military operation. The article closely analyzed the leaders of the three situations and discussed the similarities and differences between the three. The main similarity between was there focus on cohesion. The article contained facts about how the business was operating and how that in recent years, production and sales as increased drastically, and one factor for this increase was the CEO implemented a mandatory team building exercise each
Three years ago our small team was formed. We currently have 6 team members with three original team members remaining. The beginning was difficult with everyone presenting with unique personalities and different talents. We all processed through the stages of Tuckman’s Five-Stage Theory of Group Development (Kinicki Kreitner, 2003).
Effective teams must be developed, not just formed. A group is not a team. Members of a group may sometimes work together, but members of a team always work together. The team need not all be in the same place to be working together. “With a group, the whole is often equal to or less than the sum of its parts; with a team, the whole is always greater” (Oakley, Brent, Felder and Elhajj, 2004). A team, as defined above, has certain characteristics that make it effective. Not all of these traits are present when a team is in the forming stage. Tea...
When first being introduced to a group, it can be quite stressful trying to figure out how you and your team members are going to function together. As with any group, there are a few milestones that need to be reached in order to ensure a functional and successful relationship. Specifically, groups need to go through Tuckman’s Group Development Stages. These stages consist of forming, storming, norming, performing, and in some scenarios, a final stage of adjourning may be reached. After participating in this assignment, we as a group were easily able to identify, and analyze, each stage of our development.
When we think of the word team, individually many different ideas may come to mind about what a team really is. Some may think of an NFL team (Tennessee Titans), an NBA team (Sacramento Kings), or a NASA astronaut team with such pioneers as Edwin Aldrin, Jr. and Neil Armstrong as members. You might even think of the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, or Marines as teams. In fact they all are, and they have a great deal in common as teams. However, for the purposes of this paper I will examine the characteristics of work teams, as they apply to organizations and I will supply answers to the following questions: What is a team? Where did the team concept come from? What are the types of teams? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having teams in organizations? What does it take to make a team effective?
The Everest team simulation was a valuable experience that taught me how to apply the foundations of the management course into real and first-hand team situations. The success of a team and their performance depends on their initial stage of development as well as their structure. A team with an established team structure and maturity over the different stages of group development proved to be extremely successful. The decision making and conflict resolution techniques were also influential in the overall performance of a team. Ultimately, effective communication is the key to success when working in a team. On the other hand, ineffective communication may be the team’s downfall. The simulation exercise was a solid example towards work group situations and is a valuable first-hand experience.
Companies that have been successful in organizing hi performing teams have reaped the benefits of having appropriate team cohesiveness. However, contrary for companies that have tried and failed at the everchanging task of keeping the lines of communication open between employees and leaders to reach a final product. It is not wise for a leader to place emphasis on team member relationships alone, but more importantly on problem solving techniques and motivating each individual and the team as a whole. Organizations that have set out to improve the quality of the products and business structu...
Realizing that a group can become a high performance team is important. Accomplishing this goal is invaluable, advantageous and profitable. Once able to operate from a group to the high performing team is a great step into preparation into the big business world. Leaders and members must also realize not only how to accomplish this but that some problems will and can arise from different demographic characteristics and cultural diversity. That is if one is in such a group, which the probability would be quite high.